Regional

2:00 pm

Wed December 19, 2012

Superintendant Out In Canutillo

A West Texas school board has reached a deal to oust its superintendent after an audit showed possible cheating attempts on federal accountability standards.

Canutillo Independent School District trustees early Wednesday approved a separation agreement with Damon Murphy, who was suspended Dec. 6. Murphy is on paid leave until his resignation takes effect Feb. 1.

Murphy, who was hired in 2010, declined comment after the decision linked to an audit that found alleged evidence of tampering with student classifications. The Texas Education Agency on Friday launched a compliance review.

Murphy is a former associate superintendent in the neighboring El Paso Independent School District, where the TEA this month took more control.

Former EPISD superintendent Lorenzo Garcia pleaded guilty to fraud and must serve more than three years in prison.